SEATTLE – The Texans got off to a fast start and never let up, winning the rubber match in Seattle in run-rule fashion to take the opening WAC series.
Tarleton (17-14, 2-1 WAC) defeated Seattle U (20-8, 1-2 WAC) 12-4 in six innings at Logan Field in Seattle on Saturday. After dropping the first game on Friday, the Texans won the next two for the series win.
The Texans scored eight runs in the first two innings to cruise from the first pitch. They outhit the Redhawks 13-7, with five Texans earning multi-hit outings, compared to none from Seattle U. The purple and white were also impressive on the field, with multiple diving grabs, outfield assists and clean play overall.
Tarleton starting pitcher
Grace Garcia (9-3) went the distance, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks, striking out one. Garcia has earned more than half of Tarleton's wins this year, owning a team-best 2.67 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.
Austin Germain opened the game by drawing a walk. In a sacrifice bunt attempt,
Kelci Hill beat it out for a single.
Katy Schaefer followed with an RBI knock to right center.
Kiana Gibson later plated two with a double, putting Tarleton up 3-0.
In the bottom half of the opening inning, Garcia faced early trouble with the bases loaded and no outs. On a sacrifice fly, left fielder
Kayla Wallace cut down the runner at third trying to advance for a double play, and Garcia induced a pop out from there to allow just the one run.
Tarleton scored five in the second inning to take an 8-1 lead.
Brittany Coe began with a single. With runners on second and third,
Morgan Medford shot one over the outfielders for a two RBI double. The Texans then loaded the bases, and after Wallace singled to left, the ball was misplayed, allowing for three runs to score.
The Redhawks scored three in the third to get back in it, down 8-4, but the result was never in danger. Also in the third, Hill, who was playing against her sister on Saturday, made a diving grab in center.
To add to the strong defensive day, Schaefer made a diving snag behind home plate, running all the way in from third.
Tarleton scored four more in the sixth to put the run-rule in effect, thanks to RBI by Wallace,
Tristyn Trull, Coe and Germain. Garcia was perfect in the fifth and sixth innings to close the door and complete the series win.
Medford (two RBI), Hill (three runs), Schaefer (one RBI, two runs), Wallace (3-for-4, two RBI, one run) and Coe (one RBI, one run) each had multi-hit games. Germain (one RBI, two runs) and Gibson (two RBI, one run) also added a knock on the day.
The Texans have another weekend WAC road series coming up, set for Friday and Saturday, March 25-26, at Grand Canyon in Phoenix. Friday's doubleheader will begin at 5 p.m. CT.
